Death Valley National Park

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Death Valley, Death Valley National Park, Overland trails, Overlanding, overland, over land, off-road, off-roading, adventure, vehicle supported adventure,

Location	CA and NV
Nearest City	San Bernardino, CA; Beatty, NV
Coordinates	36°14′31″N 116°49′33″
Area	3,373,063 acres
Established	1933 Monument/1994 Nat’l Park
Governing Body	National Park Service
Phone	760-786-3200
Visitor Center	Furnace Creek: open Nov.-April

Site Location and Description: Death Valley National Park is located in the states of California and Nevada, east of the Sierra Nevada, spanning an area between the Great Basin and Mojave deserts. The park protects the north-west corner of the Mojave Desert and contains a vast array of desert environments: salt-flats, sand dunes, badlands, valleys, canyons, and mountains. It sits on the continental north American plate and was created by a complex series of tectonic movements. It contains faults that have occurred as the plate has stretched and moved. Geologists call this a pull-apart basin. The surrounding mountains rise as the valley sinks. These tectonic movements have created numerous lava flows and craters throughout the park. The Ubehebe Crater, on Desert Racetrack Road in the north-central part of the park is an example of this phenomenon. Within Death Valley lies the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere; Badwater Basin (-282 ft or 86 m below sea level) which is less than 100 miles away from Mount Whitney, the highest point in the United States. Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48 states and is an International Biosphere Reserve. Approximately 95% of the park is a designated wilderness area. It is the hottest and driest place in the United States.

Average temperatures: Temperatures from April-October range from the 90’s up to 120 degrees fahrenheit during the day and the 70’s to high 80’s at night. Temperatures from November to March range from the late 60’s to low 80’s during the day and the 40’s and 50’s overnight.

The Visitor Center at Death Valley National Park: The visitor center is located in the Furnace Creek resort area on State Route 190. A 12-minute introductory slide program is shown every 30 minutes. During the winter season, November through April, rangers offer interpretive tours and a wide variety of walks, talks, and slide presentations about Death Valley’s cultural and natural history. The visitor center has displays dealing with the park’s geology, climate, wildlife and natural history. There are also specific sections dealing with the human history and pioneer experience. The Death Valley Natural History Association maintains a bookstore specifically geared to the natural and cultural history of the park.

Camping: There are nine designated campgrounds within the park. Overnight backcountry camping permits are available at the visitor center

Campgrounds:

Campgrounds	Season	Elevation	Fee	Sites	Water	Fire pits	Toilets	Reservations
Furnace Creek	Year round	-196′	$18**	136	yes	yes	flush	yes
Sunset	10/15-5/1	-196′	$12	270	yes	no	flush	yes
Texas Spring	10/15-5/1	sea level	$14	92	yes	some	flush	yes
Stove Pipe Wells	9/15-mothers day week-end	sea level	$12	190	yes	yes	flush	yes
Mesquite Spring	Year round	1800′	$12	30	yes	yes	flush	yes
Emigrant Tents only	Year round	2,100 ft	$0	10	yes	yes	flush	no
Wildrose	Year round	4,100 ft	$0	23	yes	yes	pit	no
Thorndike*	March-November	7,400 ft	$0	6	no	yes	pit	no
Mahogany Flat*	March-November	8,200 ft	$0	10	no	yes	pit	no

* Accessible to high clearance vehicles only. 4-wheel drive may be necessary.

** RV Hook-up sites have an additional $12 Utility Fee that is not subject to Lifetime Pass discounts. Furnace Creek Campground becomes first come-first served and fee changes to $12 per night from mid-April to mid-October.

Reservations: For the Furnace Creek Campground and group sites: call 1-877-444-6777 or by go online at https://www.recreation.gov. All other campgrounds are first-come-first-serve.

RVs: Furnace Creek Campground has a few sites with full hookups for recreational vehicles. RV hookup sites are also available at the concession-run Stovepipe Wells RV Park and the privately owned Furnace Creek Ranch and Panamint Springs Resort.

Generator hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Camping limits: Campsites are limited to no more than eight people and two vehicles or one recreational vehicle per site. Larger groups can reserve the group sites at the Furnace Creek Campground. The two group sites are limited to a maximum of 40 people and 10 vehicles each. No recreational vehicles may be parked at the group sites.

Campfires: All vegetation in the park is protected. Firewood and charcoal are available at the NPS Concession run Stovepipe Wells General Store, or at the Furnace Creek General Store. You can also bring your own. Fire pits or grates are provided at Furnace Creek, Texas Spring, and most of our other campgrounds. See the campground table above for specifics.

For a list of all TAP overland trail write-ups in Death Valley click HERE

Death Valley-Entering Cerro Gordo town from EasDeath Valley, Death Valley National Park, Overland trails, Overlanding, overland, over land, off-road, off-roading, adventure, vehicle supported adventure, — Entering Cerro Gordo town from East

Death Valley Dream Lapse 1: Courtesy of Gavin Heffernan

For more Californian Overland and Off-Road Trails, Check Here

Joshua Tree National Park

By

Andy Palmer

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Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Trees, overland, over land, overlanding, off-road, off-roading, off road, off-road trails, california off-road trails, California overland trails, vehicle supported adventure, adventure, expedition,

Directions: Joshua Tree National Park is located between I-10 and HW 62 in Southern California. It’s about 2-3 hrs from Los Angeles, 3-4 hrs from San Diego and 3-4 hrs from Las Vegas. Covering close to 800,000 acres, “J-Tree” straddles the transition zone between the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.

Site Description and Location: Though there are only a limited number of overland 4×4 trails, the park is a paradise for star gazers, rock climbers, hikers and photographers. Temperatures range widely across the seasons with searing highs in the summer and the potential for snow in the winter. Average temperatures are Jan 62F/30F, April 85F/50F, July 108F/71F and Nov 70F/38F. Camping is predominantly in 9 controlled sites, although registered backcountry hike-in camping is allowed. Obvious times to visit are spring and fall when the temperatures are the most moderate. Unfortunately, the park can get very crowded and only some sites are possible to book. The majority are first-come, first-serve; if you get skunked, there is an alternative primitive campground just outside the Cottonwood entrance in the southeast corner of the park. The Mojave zone of the park is the most widely used and is at an elevation of 3000 ft and above. It has a cooler climate than the Sonoran and has the classic large boulder formations and Joshua trees.

Joshua Tree National Park-Campground Information and Rules:

There are 9 campgrounds and nearly 500 campsites. Campsites are limited to six people, three tents, and two cars (a vehicle towing a trailer, popup, tent trailer, fifth wheel or a motorhome pulling a vehicle is considered two vehicles). Holding or reserving campsites for persons not present is not allowed, nor can campsites be left unattended for more than 24 hours. Group sites accommodate 10 to 60 people. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire grate. Water and flush toilets are available in Black Rock and Cottonwood campgrounds. Showers are not available.

Water is available at the Oasis Visitor Center, Indian Cove Ranger Station, West Entrance, and Black Rock and Cottonwood campgrounds.

Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. Generator use is limited to six hours a day: 7 to 9 am, noon to 2 pm, and 5 to 7 pm.

Food-storage containers capable of preventing access by wildlife are required. Any scented or odorous items must be similarly stored.

Campfires are allowed in the fire grates porvided. All vegetation in the park is protected. If you want to make a campfire, bring your own firewood.

RVs: There are no hookups for recreational vehicles. Black Rock and Cottonwood have fresh-water fill-up and dump stations. Motorhomes and habitable trailers are prohibited at Cottonwood and Sheep Pass group sites. At Hidden Valley and White Tank campgrounds, and at Indian Cove group sites, motorhomes and trailers, including their tow vehicle, cannot exceed a combined vehicle length of 25 feet.

Reservations: Sites at Black Rock and Indian Cove campgrounds may be reserved from October through May by calling 1-877-444-6777 up to six months in advance of the date you want to reserve. Or you may make reservations online at www.recreation.gov

First-come, first-served campgrounds: Belle, Hidden Valley, Ryan, and White Tank. Black Rock and Indian Cove campgrounds are first-come, first-served only during the summer-June through September.

Group Site Reservations may be made up to 12 months in advance throughout the year by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Group campsites are available at Cottonwood, Indian Cove, and Sheep Pass campgrounds. Cottonwood and Sheep Pass group sites are limited to tent camping only.

Camping Limits: There is a 30-day camping limit each year. However, only 14 nights total may occur from October through May.

Overflow Camping: There is no overflow camping in the park, however there are some BLM areas nearby. Click here for a map (270k PDF). The park also offers backcountry camping.

Overflow Parking is not available in the park. All overnight vehicles must be parked in a designated campsite.

Questions About Camping call 760-367-5500

Campgrounds	Season	Elevation	Fee	Sites	Water	Horse Camp	Toilets	Reservations
Belle	Year round	3800 ft	$10	18	no	no	pit	no
Black Rock	Year round	4000 ft	$15	100	yes	$15	flush	yes
Cottonwood Reservation only	Year round	3000ft	$15/$25-40 group	62	yes	no	flush	no/group yes
Hidden Valley	Year round	4200 ft	$10	44	no	no	pit	no
Indian Cove	Year round	3200ft	$15/$25-40 group	62–3 group	no	no	pit	yes
Jumbo Rocks Reservation only	Year round	4,400 ft	$10	124	no	no	pit	no
Ryan	Year round	4,300 ft	$10	31	no	no	pit	no
Sheep Pass	Year round	4,500 ft	$25-40 group	6 group	no	no	pit	yes
White Tank	Year round	3,800 ft	$10	15	no	no	pit	no

Check out our Overland Trails section for more info on driving trails in Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree Journey Part 1: Video courtesy of Gavin Heffernan

Los Pinos Trail: Cleveland National Forest

By

Andy Palmer

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View to Mexico from top of Los Pinyos Trail

GPS	N 32 43.50′ W116 33.50′
Elevation	2,800-4,900
Season	Year round. Very hot in summer. Best in dry weather
Terrain	Rough shelf roads, can be slippery after rains
Difficulty	Easy to Moderate
Required Vehicle	Designated OHV area. Stock 4×4 may be challenged.
Time	3 hours: loop trail
Length	18.6 miles. 17.7 unpaved

Los Pinyos Trail, OVERLAND, overlanding, over land, overland trail, off road trail, offroad, off-roading trail, off-roading, expedition, vehicle supported adventure, — Most difficult section of Los Pinos Trail

Directions: The Los Pinos Trail is located 50 miles east of San Diego and south of I-8. It starts at Coral Canyon Road, at the Four Corners Trailhead, 5.6 miles west of Buckman Springs Road and is a loop trail.

Site Location and Description: The Los Pinos trail is is a designated off-road trail that loops around a granite boulder landscape near Corral Canyon and Lake Morena. The offroad trail can be traveled in either direction and is rated moderate due to the Espinoza Trail section that runs down Espinosa Creek. This section of the Los Pinos Trail loop can be very rough and uneven. Which direction you head will determine a descent or ascent of this difficult rough and uneven boulder strewn area. After completion of this section, the rest of the off road trail is fairly easy. When you get to the top of Los Pinos mountain, see if the lookout tower is open. The views are amazing and the volunteers who man the tower have a lot of knowledge about the area. Be sure to stay on the designated trail, as it borders both the Pine Creek and Hauser Wilderness Areas. This is a good vehicle supported adventure day trip with beautiful and rugged terrain.

The History of Los Pinos Trail: The Luiseno and Cahuilla tribes were the first occupants of the Los Pinos Trail region. In 1769, Junipero Serra traveled through the area and established a Mission in San Diego. The Cleveland National Forest supplied most of the wood used to build many of the California missions. The Native Americans kept the land in this area fertile with regular burnings of the brush land. During the 1800’s the land was parceled into land grants and was used for ranching. Overgrazing and timber cutting heavily taxed the environment which still hasn’t fully recovered.

For more overland and off-road trails in California, CLICK HERE

WHY ANZA BORREGO IS PERFECT FOR VAN LIFERS

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Contributor

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VANLIFE, Tourig, anza borrego, sculpters,

Anza Borrego is perfect for van lifers, but there is more than just wildflowers. Although the area is well known by instagrammers searching for the perfect super bloom wildflower shot, the off season will give you far less traffic with plenty to see. Earlier this year we were in San Diego for an event and I had the Borrego Serpent pinned to my map of ‘want to go’ places.

Just outside of Anza Borrego State Park is the small town of Borrego Springs, a 2 hour drive from San Diego this location is perfect for van lifers. Whether you are full time looking for a fun place to stop off along your journey or a California weekender wanting a quick fun trip this place is great! As you drive into Borrego Springs, along the outskirts of the town, you will find a metal safari of ancient and mythical creatures who once possibly roamed the desert sands.

Monsters in the Anza Borrego Desert

Landowner Denis Avery commissioned the sculptures from artist Ricardo Breceda, giving people a reason to visit the area beyond super flowers. The older sculptures are inspired by animals which existed in the Anza-Borrego area during the Plio-Pleistocene age, while newer pieces have opened up to some more modern ideas.

The metal safari is perfect for van lifers because the private property and artworks are free to the public and you are even welcomed to stay for short term camping! You can drive right up to the art with your vehicle and take yourself on a metal safari, again perfect for van lifers who are wanting to let their vehicle do the posing!

Where to stay in Anza Borrego

You can stay right near the sculptures if you are self contained. If you need a bathroom we recommend taking a 20 minute drive to Culp Valley Camp which is perfect for van lifers. This is where we stayed, there are areas where groups can park together or single pull in spaces for those wanting privacy. There is a short dirt road to get into the campground and the upper area is easily accessible for 2wd, the lower area had quite a lot of washouts so you may prefer 4×4 for those spaces. Culp Valley is free and has pit toilets available. We also saw a lot of vans parked around the main traffic circle in Borrego Springs which had a park and bathrooms in the centre.

If you’re looking for a location perfect for van lifers then check out Anza Borrego during the off season, which is any time outside of Feb-March. If you’re ready to brave the crowds then Feb-March is the best time for wildflower blooms.

Locations:

Borrego Serpent: 1642 Borrego Springs Road, Borrego Springs CA 92004
Culp Valley Camp: Montezuma-Borrego Hwy, Ranchita, CA 92066

Vanlife:

Tourig:

Backwoods Adventure Mods:

https://backwoodsadventuremods.com/

Creative:

Click here for more CA off-road, Overlanding trails…..and TAP into Adventure!

Our Land – Traversing Oregon

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Contributor

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‘Our Land – Traversing Oregon’ is a story of an overland journey across Oregon’s highly varied public lands, to highlight the qualitative and quantitative value of such areas, in light of recent political developments that are threatening to take them away.

Director: Octave Zangs and Jason Fitzgibbon
Production/Post-Production: Zangs Films

Astro Photography and Overlanding

By

Andy Palmer

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I learnt a lesson at a relatively early age that has held me in good stead through my life. I was in the Austrian Alps and was going snowboarding for the first time. As I got off the chair lift, at 15,000 ft, with the magnificent and imposing mountains literally touching the clouds, I said out loud to myself “This is going to be epic!”. Two hours later, sore from falling constantly I admitted to myself, it wasn’t. How can this be? I surf, I race windsurfers professionally, what the hell is going on? Well, it turned out I was making one very simple mistake. I was driving off the back foot as you do when you surf, the problem being that you drive off the front foot when snowboarding. Every time I tried to turn, the board went back up the hill. Defeated, I returned to my rig with my tail between my legs. The following day I took a beginners class and within 2 hours I was ripping down the mountain. Life lesson learnt! Don’t be afraid to learn from good instructors. So, fast forward 25 years. Overlanding and adventure photography has become my passion and I have applied this life lesson to my photography. Here is what I learned from taking an astro photography class from Sean Parker.

I have to admit that the photographic capture of the TAP adventures through video and still shots, is as important to me as driving the trails. Frustratingly, the cost of professional quality camera equipment seems on par with owning a Jeep! I digress. A few years back, I really became interested in Astro Photography and immediately signed up for a full day/night course with Sean Parker Photography.

Our trip was planned over a weekend in June at Joshua Tree National Park. We stayed in 29 Palms and basically slept and rested all day as the course obviously takes place through the night.

With Astro photography, getting used to reversing my time clock has frankly been a challenge as I am an early to bed and early to rise guy. On the course Sean taught me the basic camera setting for night star shooting; how to focus to infinity correctly; how to track the Milky Way across the sky using the Sky Guide APP on my I-phone; how to take multiple shots of the MW and stitch them together for a panorama shot.

I also leant how to create star trails and finally how to apply post work touches in Light Room. Night shooting difficulties became obvious immediately, like knowing your camera’s interface and buttons in the dark (I didn’t) and getting the shot in focus when it’s pitch black.

A few year later I am, of course, still learning on every shoot. but the initial lesson was invaluable. It advanced my basic knowledge exponentially and has allowed me to spend more time learning and experimenting with nuanced night photography techniques.

I am now beginning to experiment with time-lapse Astro videos and have upped the level of my camera equipment.Like everything, practice ultimately makes perfect, but for those of you interested in advancing your photography game quickly, I highly encourage you to take the plunge and sign up for instruction. You won’t regret taking instruction….my snowboarding, overlanding and photography hasn’t yet.